Julianne Hough defends viral ‘energy work session’ years after fans compared it to exorcism

Julianne Hough still stands by her viral “energy work session” after it drew exorcism comparisons in 2020.

The “Dancing With the Stars” alum addressed the controversial practice on Monday’s episode of Kaitlyn Bristowe’s “Off the Vine” podcast.

“I’ve had a few of those supernatural experiences and had a lot of people be like, ‘Oh, she’s lost the plot,’” the dancer, 36, admitted.
She recalled social media users claiming she had “demons and an exorcist coming out of her butthole” when footage of Dr. John Amaral working with her at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, circulated online.

“Of course, that was almost five years ago and now it’s so much more accessible,” Hough noted. “People understand what’s happening. Energy is everything.”

In the viral Facebook broadcast, the actress’ body flailed and she let out seemingly involuntary screams as Amaral floated his hand above her body.
She subsequently told viewers about feeling “liberated on the inside.”

Hough said, “I can speak my truth clearly, stand in my power and not feel overtaken by emotion, my mind and I feel free inside myself to just be.

“Our body is our vessel to hold our energy and that is the most prominent thing that we can take care of,” she added.
Elsewhere in Monday’s episode, the Emmy nominee praised Gwyneth Paltrow for having the “courage and the guts” to take “flack” for her “woo-woo” behaviors.

“I am so grateful for her,” Hough gushed, calling the Goop creator, 51, a “pioneer.”

She explained, “When you’re a pioneer in something and you have the courage and the guts to put it out there, you will absolutely get backlash, completely. I give her props.
Hough made an appearance on Paltrow’s Netflix show, “The Goop Lab,” in January 2020 as Amaral completed multiple “healing sessions” on camera.

Derek Hough defended his sister at the time against claims she was “wacky” and “crazy.”

The “World of Dance” judge, 39, wrote, “Diving into it with the understanding of pure energy is a pretty wild experience. Maybe ahead of its time but worth an open mind.”